Death of a salesman essay thesis

Willy Loman believes in the American dream. But, what is the American dream? To some people, the American dream is if you work hard, you can have a happy, richer fuller life. To others, it means that if you work hard, you can make lots of money and buy nice things. To Willy Loman, the American dream means if you are well-liked and good-looking, but not necessarily hard working, you will make lots of money and be able to buy nice things. Living the American dream is an integral theme in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman”.
In 1931, the historian, James Truslow Adams wrote The Epic of America. In his book, he stated that the American dream is “that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which man and woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position” (214-215). Adams’ idea of the American dream is that money and material wealth are not what the American dream is about. The American dream is that if you work hard, anyone can obtain prosperity, happiness and success regardless of their position in life. That people can be recognized for being who they are and not how much money they make.
Willy Loman, the main character in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman”, believes that the American dream is defined by material wealth. He thinks having a nice house, a nice car and nice clothes means you are successful and that you have achieved the American dream. He also believes that it is not hard work that gets you there. He believes that if you are well-liked and good-looking you can succeed. In Arthur Miller’s play, there are several other examples about success and the American ...